Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher
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It’s not very often that the second book of a series outshines the first, but Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher is even better than its predecessor. It has the same self-deprecating, sarcastic humor that eases the mood of the darker storyline, but without the campiness of the first book that came from the main character working at a children’s restaurant as an entertaining magician. This time around, Grimshaw Griswald Grimsby has become the only thing he ever wanted to be: an Auditor at the Department of Unorthodox Affairs.
Unfortunately, the new job isn’t all he’d hoped it would be, especially when his assigned partner, Leslie Mayflower (aka the Huntsman) never shows up for work. When Grimsby begs for more important work, his boss says that he’ll never get any if he can’t even manage his partner. Frustrated, Grimsby impulsively steals a case from his friend, fellow Auditor Elizabeth Bathory. This betrayal adds lovely conflict in an already beautiful tale about rethinking instinctual reactions and making better choices.
Butcher captures the very depressing realization that your dream isn’t as great as you thought it would be with one line: “How much longer would his dream job remain a disappointment?” He also tackles bigger issues of doing what’s right, violence isn’t always the answer, and that there is always a choice.
Grimsby has a clear moral compass, and even though he isn’t the most powerful witch and doesn’t always make the best decisions, he’s a great main character. In the first book, I was more interested in the Huntsman. In Long Past Dues, Grimsby steps up as the main character, continuing to be his stubborn, sarcastic self while taking the lead on an investigation that spans decades.
His stolen case interests the Huntsman, who sees connections to a twenty-year-old case; the man didn’t often get the satisfaction of stopping a crime before it’s complete, and that long ago case was one of the Huntsman’s true victories. He is intent on making sure that case is truly closed by hunting down the perpetrators. The clues of the mystery being pieced together are far more enticing than the ones from the first book, and I couldn’t put it down.
Butcher gives readers good recaps of everything that happened in the first book, as well as the rules of this urban fantasy world he’s created. The details are smart, with subtle reminders of past events, tying everything nicely together.
He also expands on things we learned in the first book. As a sequel, it’s very well-crafted.
Long Past Dues has a wonderful ending that hints at another book, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that there will be more books to the Unorthodox Chronicles.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by James Patrick Cronin, and highly recommend it, as well. He’s a terrific narrator, and his readings of both books in the series are two of the few audiobooks I listened to on 1.0x speed. They’re both delightful.
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Long Past Dues cover illustration credit: Chris McGrath.
Long Past Dues book design credit: Daniel Brount.
Audiobook narrated by James Patrick Cronin
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